Emma Reynolds MP, Labour’s Shadow Housing Minister, commenting on Government figures released today showing that net additional dwellings (total homes added to England’s dwelling stock) fell by 8 per cent in the year 2012-2013 compared with the previous year and to the lowest level since the statistical series began, said:

“This is yet more evidence of the Government’s failure to tackle the biggest housing crisis in a generation.

“With David Cameron presiding over the lowest levels of house building in peacetime since the 1920s, home ownership will remain out of reach of low and middle-income earners, rents will continue to soar – contributing to the cost of living crisis - and waiting lists grow ever longer.

“We are building less than half the number of houses we need to keep up with demand. Labour is determined to tackle this housing crisis and has committed to increasing house building to over 200,000 by 2020.”